Synergy Enterprises, Inc., a minority and woman-owned government contractor located in North Bethesda, MD, currently has an opportunity for a full-time employee (at least 30 hours a week) as a Senior Research Associate. This position is remote, with occasional travel required for conference presentations and or client meetings.

This position is an integral part of the Data Team, and applicants should have excellent time management skills and very close attention to detail. While this position will involve work on a variety of projects, the majority of data, report writing, and evaluation will be on education and public health contracts. Ideal applicants will be able to fluctuate between leading efforts on some projects, working as a team member or individually on others.

Strong candidates will demonstrate proficiency in the following domains:

• Evaluation: Experience with all stages of evaluation, from design and implementation to report writing and dissemination.
• Data Visualization: Proficiency in using data visualization tools and software to create compelling and interactive visualizations. Experience with Tableau required, Power BI or D3.js a plus.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze data sets varying in size to identify trends, patterns, and key insights that can be communicated effectively through visualizations. Experience with data analysis software such as R, Stata, SAS, Excel, Python, SPSS, QDA Miner, Google Analytics.
• Data Storytelling: Experience selecting the most appropriate visualizations to fit the data and crafting a narrative that guides the intended audience through the insights. Ability to use of graphic design principles, particularly consideration of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) in the development of interactive dashboards added bonus.
• Data Security & Privacy: Understanding and adherence to data security and privacy considerations, especially when dealing with sensitive or confidential data.
• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate with data scientists, communication specialists, and SMEs in public health and education to understand data requirements and ensure that visualizations accurately represent the underlying data. Experience working with data from any of the following content areas is advantageous: alcohol policy, behavioral health, or elementary or secondary education
• Research & Writing: Experience conducting research independently and with minimal oversight. Writing both short informational brief reports and publications, as well as longer needs assessment or annual reports. Ability to review and provide feedback to more junior research associates as well as edit publications for a variety of clients, including proofing tables and statistical reports.
• And other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of Master’s Degree in Social or a Data science discipline, or Education, Public Health or related field; Ph.D. or Ph.D. candidates welcome.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, particularly Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to facilitate strong written and oral data presentations.
• Attention to detail, particularly to ensure data and reporting meet high standards, such as compliance to federal guidelines.
• Able to obtain necessary clearances from various Federal agencies.
• Equally proficient at serving leadership role as being a team player willing to jump in and take on any task as needed.
• Self-starter with strong time management and multitasking skills.

Physical demands and work environment:

• Physical demands: While performing the job duties, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop; bend; push; turn; crawl; sit; use hands to handle objects and documents; manipulate objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employees may occasionally land/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, recognizing, registering, and responding, color recognition, depth perception. Employees may use office equipment such as telephone, computer, computer software, calculator, printer, copier, and facsimile.
• Work environment: Employees are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified.